British Columbia Commercial Vessel Master Fined for Illegal Fishing

Sentencing has been handed down to the master of the commercial prawn fishing vessel Darkstar following a long-running court case over illegal fishing in British Columbia’s Strait of Georgia, Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans revealed Feb. 23.

Judge S.M. Merrick has sentenced the vessel master to pay a fine of $250,000 and forfeit all gear seized (with an approximate value of $80,000) after previously finding him guilty on May 24, 2023 of a total of 13 violations of Canada’s Fisheries Act.

On July 2 and July 3, 2020, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Conservation and Protection fishery officers seized the vessel master’s prawn traps, which were illegally set in the Strait of Georgia Glass Sponge Reef Marine Refuges near Sechelt. This area is protected and closed to all prawn fishing due to the habitat’s highly sensitive nature.

A subsequent investigation revealed that the individual was also in violation between July 2 and September 24, 2020 of the conditions of his commercial license by hauling gear prior to 7 a.m.; failing to keep an accurate logbook; failing to provide records in the required time; and having buoys that were in non-compliance with the Fisheries Act regulations.

Commercial prawning setting and hauling of prawn and shrimp gear is permitted only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

The vessel master, whose name was not provided by DFO, pled guilty to seven of the 13 violations, and the Court declared him guilty of the other six violations. The trial commenced April 25, 2022, continued for 14 days until a guilty verdict was handed down May 24, 2023 and concluded with sentencing on January 31, 2024.

During the sentencing hearing, a member of the shíshálh Nation read an impact statement outlining the Nation’s concerns about illegal fishing in the Glass Sponge Reef, which is a globally unique marine refuge.

Additional testimony was given by DFO expert witness Dr. Anya Dunham, who gave scientific evidence of the harm caused by the illegal fishing activity within the protected area.

British Columbia’s ancient glass sponge reefs are a globally unique ecosystem that are areas of high biodiversity and provide important habitat for many marine animals, including spot prawns, rockfish, herring, halibut and sharks.

Source: https://fishermensnews.com/british-columbia-commercial-vessel-master-fined-for-illegal-fishing/